The three-time Grammy Award winning artist said he made the decision in order to set a good example to his newborn nephew.

In an Instagram post liked by more than 1.3 million people, the “I’m the One” hit maker said: “I’m on a plane headed out the country on my first sabbatical. I’m going away to learn the Word of God which I am admittedly very unfamiliar with.

“I’ve been brought up by my family to know Christ but I haven’t taken it upon myself to really just take a couple days and read my bible. We all quote scripture and tell each other what God likes and doesn’t like but how much time do we spend as followers of Jesus to really just read and KNOW his Word?”

The 25 year-old Chicago-born rapper has been very open about his faith in interviews and even on stage during performances.

However he rejects the idea that he makes gospel music.

ChancePerform from West Ham Stats on Vimeo.

He told CBS This Morning: “I would never say I’m making gospel music, but I love God. I love Jesus and I’m super cool with saying that.

“I don’t make Christian rap, but I am a Christian rapper.”

Chance the Rapper – whose real name is Chancellor Jonathan Bennett, also shared in his Instagram post that he plans to give up smoking during his time away.

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Ceremonies should allow transgender people to renew the commitment they made during their baptism service – prior to their gender transition – the guidance released on Tuesday said.

Dr Rev Tina Beardsley, a transgender vicar who was consulted on the document, expressed hope churches would implement the guidance.

Dr Tina told Premier: “I hope that most churches will respond positively.

“Many families are affected nowadays; a family member, a friend or a work colleague has undergone a transition.”

But the formal incorporation of a gender transition service into the Church of England’s official catalogue of services drew dismay from conservative Anglicans.

Susie Leafe from the evangelical group GAFCON told Premier nine bishops on the House of Bishops’ Delegation Committee – which oversaw work to produce the document – had bypassed the Church of England’s governing body.

She explained: “The issue that we’ve got here is the repurposing of baptism liturgy; that is a major decision that the House of Bishops have made without the consultation of Synod and that doesn’t bode well for the future.”

Andrea Williams, a lay member of the Church of England’s General Synod accused the Church of continuing a “devastating trajectory towards an outright denial of God and his word”.

She continued: “There is no need for Christians to…

The former Destiny’s Child singer revealed the news in an Instagram story post which is no longer available.

The 38-year-old singer wrote on the day she released her new single Fearless: “I still remain fearless. I guess I still remain single! Things didn’t work out. The healing that needs to take place is a must!”

“I don’t wanna destroy another relationship. Blessings to him, his family and ministry. #FEARLESS.”

The former couple first met when Williams, 37, attended an Elevate International retreat which 40-year-old Johnson was hosting in Arizona.

They later starred in a reality show called Chad Loves Michelle sharing their pre-marriage journey with viewers.

Williams told reporters while promoting the Oprah Winfrey Network show that counselling had helped them connect better as a couple.

She explained: “I had to learn how to communicate all over again. I’ve been on my own over 20 years – you don’t have to tell me what to do.

“This is my house; you know? And, it’s like – now all those things are going to change. How do you communicate that? How do you communicate your fears and concerns in those areas?”

 

In an interview with People magazine, Williams admitted that she fell into a deep depression as she began planning her summer wedding.

She said she secretly broke off the engagement just weeks after Johnson had proposed…

John Delahaye, a type 1 diabetic, had been on remand at HMP Birmingham after three people were hurt during a service at New Jerusalem Apostolic Church in Aston in September.

A jury heard how the 46-year-old from Ettington was pronounced dead on 5th March this year after being discovered laid down in his cell close to an empty insulin pen.

He was due to stand trial later that month.

Dr Simon Trotter, a consultant pathologist, told Birmingham Coroner’s Court he put Mr Delahaye’s death down to a severe lack of glucose and hypoglycaemia.

He was quoted by the BBC as saying: “Given he had a pen before being locked up and it was empty when he was found, I consider this was due to an insulin overdose.”

The court was told how Mr Delahaye had been allowed to handle an insulin pan despite previously overdosing at HMP Birmingham on New Year’s Eve 2017.

He had been charged with attempted murder, making threats to kill, wounding, and two counts of possessing a bladed weapon.

Adam Brooks (pictured above), who was injured in the attack at New Jerusalem Apostolic Church, told Premier earlier this year how he had mixed emotions when he learned of Delahaye’s death.

The hearing continues.

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